Multi-filament Tubular Construct for Sternotomy Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing woven or braided metal bands used in sternotomy closures face challenges due to large movements and forces, which can lead to damage to bones and tissues, and require improvements in strength and manufacturability.

Innovation Solution

The use of multi-filament microcables instead of traditional monofilament wires to create a woven or braided tubular construct with specific dimensions and materials, such as stainless steel and superelastic alloys, to enhance strength and compatibility with existing medical devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional monofilament wires are used as constituent elements of a woven or braided band, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the strength and flexibility are insufficient to handle large forces and movements in sternotomy closures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestrengthVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by replacing traditional monofilament wires with multi-filament microcables, where each constituent element is divided into multiple smaller filaments (e.g., 7, 19, or 37 filaments per cable). This segmentation increases the overall strength and flexibility of the woven or braided band while maintaining manufacturability, as the multi-filament structure better distributes mechanical stresses and accommodates large movements in sternotomy closure applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stress or pressure

If the woven or braided structure is adapted to lay flat against the bone to spread pressure, then the pressure distribution improves, but the force on adjacent bone may still be excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure distributionVSAvoidforce on bone

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using multi-filament microcables with varying filament configurations in different regions of the woven or braided band. This allows the structure to locally adapt to the bone surface geometry, improving pressure distribution while the overall enhanced strength of the multi-filament construction reduces excessive forces on adjacent bone during patient movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multi-filament microcables are used instead of monofilament wires, then the strength and flexibility are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the number of filaments per microcable (e.g., 7, 19, or 37 filaments) and the configuration of these filaments to optimize both reliability and manufacturability. The multi-filament construction provides enhanced strength and flexibility for reliable sternotomy closure, while the standardized filament counts and configurations maintain compatibility with existing manufacturing processes and medical device fabrication techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11497538B2Woven or braided tubular metal construct

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 FORT WAYNE METALS RES PROD LLC

AI summary

Multi-filament microcables are used in place of the traditional monofilament wires as the constituent elements of a woven or braided band. This enhances the function and manufacturability of such bands for various applications, such as orthopaedic applications including sternotomy closures.